Mucho Macho Man works for Whitney Handicap

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) – Saturday morning at Saratoga Race Course, Mucho Macho Man had his final workout leading to next week’s $750,000 Whitney Invitational.

Trained by Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man went five furlongs in 1:02.18.

“He breezed great this morning, and he came back great,” Ritvo said. “It was a very good move today. He’s been very consistent with his works, and is just feeling great.”

Owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Mucho Macho Man was eased in the Florida Sunshine Millions on Jan. 9 after failing to handle the sloppy Gulfstream Park track. He came down with a mild virus that kept him out of the Gulfstream Park Handicap, a race he won last year.

He came back on June 14 at Belmont Park in the Criminal Type Stakes and finished third.

“I think he’s going to run really good this race,” Ritvo said. “He’s just doing so well. He’s going into all his works good, and coming out of all his works good. He’s had a very consistent schedule, and his attitude has been great. He’s just doing very well.

“The Whitney is a great, great race to win. If we can be that blessed and get that lucky, it would be fantastic.”

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had Alpha work five furlongs Saturday as well at Saratoga. The 4-year-old colt went the distance in 1:00.25.

“That was his best work this year,” said McLaughlin. “It was really nice to see. He loves it up here. He likes it up here on the main track. We’re happy.

“Most likely we’ll be running (in the Whitney). We’ll look at the weights and see who’s running. There’s an overnight stakes we are nominated to on Friday (1 1/8-mile Birdstone) that’s a possibility. We’ll see.”

Alpha won the Jim Dandy at Saratoga last year and finished in a dead heat with Golden Ticket in the Travers.

Categorized in: Horses